High blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, sedentary life style[?], hormone status and age are all risk factors for athersclerosis. These factors conspire to cause tears to the lining of the medium and large arteries[?], which results in fatty deposits[?], inflammation, and ultimately narrowing of the afflicted arteries. High blood pressure provides the shear force to produce tears in the fragile endothelium[?], the lining of the arteries. Cholesterol migrates into these torn sections when concentrations of LDL, or low density lipoprotein are high. Smoking has a direct toxic effect on the arterial wall, causing an inflammatory response. Exercise modifies many of these risk factors, ultimately lowering the inflammatory response of the arterial walls. Hormones, especially the presence of estrogen, has a healing effect on the arterial walls. The resident cells interpret this as an intrusion, "call for help", and inflammation results. Immune cells called monocytes[?] circulating in the blood enter the artery wall, turn into macrophages and ingest the LDL particles, thereby turning into large "foam cells". The inflammation also causes a fibrous cap to be formed between the fatty deposits and the artery. These capped fatty deposits (called atheromas[?]) narrow the blood vessel. This can lead to narrowing (stenosis[?]) of the artery. The atheromas are fragile. When they rupture, a partial blockage can be quickly converted into a complete obstruction, resulting in a heart attack or stroke, depending on which artery is obstructed.

having high blood concentration of LDL ("bad cholesterol") or of triglycerides and low concentration of HDL ("good cholesterol"). HDL particles transport cholesterol from the tissues back to the liver.

If atherosclerosis leads to symptoms, the symptoms (such as angina) can be treated. Medicines are usually the first step in treating cardiovascular diseases. Other treatments include angioplasty procedures to open up clogged arteries and surgery, such as bypass surgery.

High blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood cholesterol can be treated as well. Lowering the blood cholesterol level can slow, stop, or even reverse the buildup of plaque. Cholesterol lowering can reduce the cholesterol content in unstable plaques to make them more stable and less prone to rupture.